For sale is a Benge 165F built in the late 1990’s, serial number 5 738XXX. Large bore instrument with an 8.5-inch gold brass annealed bell (see below), .547 bore yellow-brass handslide. The instrument was cleaned thoroughly inside and out. A few miscellaneous areas of lacquer wear at the contact points on the handslide and tuning slide and a few very tiny pings. There are some faint scratches on the inner bell from past dent work. The slide action at the moment is probably an 8.5/10 but improving after the cleaning. No issues with the rotor. Comes with the original case.

Now, the details……and how does it play? The 165F was introduced by UMI/Benge as an intermediate instrument after the original Benge designer/engineer left the company. The 165 has the same Marcellus leadpipe as the 190, and an annealed bell as stated in the official company advertising. Rumor is the 165 does not have an annealed bell, but company advertising says otherwise. Some players call the 165F “the secret” as it plays very well and holds its own against any Bach 42 or Conn 88H. This particular 165F plays warm in the middle and low registers. The upper register above G plays evenly with no strident tones when pushed.

Message me if you have any questions. Thanks!